10th AAMDC air defense soldiers to deploy to Turkey

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class John Zumer | Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command lay wooden planking on a rail car during a recent logistical exercise at Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Oct. 16. Approximately 300 soldiers assigned to the 5-7th ADA will be deploying to Turkey shortly as part of the extension of a NATO operation providing missile defense support in the southeastern part of the country. The battalion, expected to be deployed for a year, joins Patriot batteries from NATO allies Germany and the Netherlands which are deployed to separate locations in southern Turkey. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Zumer, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command public affairs)  

KAISERSLAUTERN, RP, GERMANY

11.22.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. John Zumer 

10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Every Soldier who puts his name on the dotted line knows there are no guarantees on being home for the holidays. Two Patriot missile batteries from U.S. Army Europe’s 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command know about that reality first-hand, and will be deploying to Turkey shortly as part of a NATO operation providing missile defense support to the area.

The batteries from the 10th AAMDC’s 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, will replace the 3rd Battalion, 2nd ADA from Fort Sill, Okla., which has been in Turkey since last December augmenting the air defense capabilities of the NATO ally.

“The soldiers of 5-7 ADA are trained, ready, and looking forward to the opportunity to deploy in support of our NATO ally,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen Burnley, the command sergeant major for 5th Bn., 7th ADA and senior enlisted soldier for the command.

Burnley said his soldiers are excited about applying the skills and training they’ve been honing over their careers, adding that stay-behind units of 5-7 ADA will continue to train and support the 10th AAMDC.

“The Rear Detachment is manned with leaders that have experience with deployments and are ready to assist our Families, and are already coordinating events with our Family Readiness Groups,” said Burnley, who hails from Alexandria, Va.

The Turkish government recently requested an extension of the original Patriot mission which began last January, and is designed to protect Turkish citizens from potential ballistic missile threats from Syria.

Long before the official word about the Turkey mission, however, soldiers were busy preparing equipment and vehicles for such a deployment possibility. Rhine Ordnance Barracks was the scene of a large railhead operation in October where soldiers teamed with German rail professionals to ensure 5-7 ADA items were loaded efficiently and safely.

For many of the soldiers involved, it was a welcomed chance to put theory into practice.

“Morale is really high today, it’s physical, and there’s a sense of satisfaction that we accomplished an important mission here,” said Sgt. Brian Wyman, a Patriot communication switch systems supervisor from Barstow, Calif.

The German civilians provided outstanding training during the railhead operations, said Wyman, adding the required rail load class beforehand emphasized that large equipment, moving parts and carelessness make for a potentially deadly combination if soldiers let their guard down.

“Safety is still the main emphasis,” said Wyman.

With the official Department of Defense notification to deploy, approximately 300 Soldiers assigned to 5-7th ADA are slated to participate in the operation near the city of Gaziantep. They will join Patriot batteries from NATO allies Germany and the Netherlands which are deployed to separate locations in southern Turkey. The battalion, expected to fully assume the ballistic missile defense mission in mid-December, has frequently partnered with Dutch, German and Polish air defense forces on training exercises in recent years.

It’s a partnership with great benefits, said Burnley, and the coming mission in Turkey will have several built-in advantages to be utilized whenever possible.

“As a forward stationed unit in Europe, we understand the importance of partnerships, and continuously train with our international partners. This is another opportunity that we have,” he said.

• Date Taken: 11.22.2013
• Date Posted: 11.22.2013 07:22
• Story ID: 117208
• Location: KAISERSLAUTERN, RP, DE